Body bolster



1E WWMW jar Ami 1% Wm, M. H. wimwm BODY 'BOLSTER Filed Dec. 12, 1928 W W A w w x g W m MM w a 3 A J m NW A W Patented Apr. 15, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MARK H. MARTIN, F READING, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR '10 BIRDSBORO STEEL FOUNDRY & MACHINE COMPANY, OF BIRDSBORO, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORA- rIoN or rENNsYLvANm BODY BoLs'rER' Application filed December 12, 1928. Serial No. 325,493.

My invention relates to body bolsters for railway cars, but more especially to what is known as the bottom cover plate thereof, and has for its object generally to provide a bolster comprising a novel construction of cover plate whereby the number of parts employed in the structure of the bolster is decreased, while at the same time both the strength and the lightness thereof are in- 0 creased.

It also is an object of my invention to provide a body bolster of novel character in that the bottom cover plate, center plate, side bearings side bearing braces, center plate rein- 5 forcing means and rear draft stops are embodied in a single integral casting. 1 Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the detailed description thereof or "will be apparent from 0 such description."

To these and other ends the invention comprehends the construction as hereinafter described, particularly pointed out in the claims, and as illustrated in the drawing,

' wherein Fig. 1 is a view in sectional elevationtaken in a plane extending lengthwise of abody bolster embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the bottom cover 0 plate embodying the invention and shown in Fig. 1; and r Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig. 2.

In the construction embodying my invention and as illustrated in the drawing, the bottom cover plate 1, the center plate 2, the

side body bearings 3, the braces 4 for the said bearings, and the casting 5, which latter constitutes an abutment for draft cushioning mechanism (not shown) as well as strengthen,- ing means for the bolster structure, are connected integrally with each other in any manner, but preferably by casting.

The bottom cover plate 1 is provided with rivet holes 7 at its opposite edges and is adapted to be secured by means of rivets to the bottom outwardly turned flanges (not shown) of the bolster diaphragm members the sides of two of which are shown at 8. The bolster diaphragm members are of usual construction and for that reason have not been shown more in detail in the drawing. The braces 4 for the side bearings 3 project upwardly from the opposite edge portions of the bottom cover plate land are secured by means of rivets 8' to the sides 8 of the oppositely disposed bolster diaphragm members previously referred to. The braces 4 as well as the side bearings 3 are strengthened by the presence of the gussetlike portions 8".

The casting 5 previously referred to is located at the middle portlon of the bottom cover plate 1 and projects upwardlytherefrom, It comprises the oppositely disposed side portions 9 which are adapted to be secured to the adjoining portions of the webs of the center sills 10 as shown. The central portion of the casting 5 comprises a tubular portion 12 which is in alinement with an opening through the plate 1 and also with an enlarged opening at the center of the center plate 2. The tubular portion 12 provides an opening for a king or couplin pin (not shown) by which the body bolster 1s pivotally connected to the truck bolster of a railway car structure, the top portion of a truck "bolster being indicated in dash lines at 13 in Fig. 1. The tubular portion 12 is connected with and braced against the sides 9 of the casting 5 by means of gussetlike portions 14 and horizontally extending portions 15, 16, 17 and 18. The two portions 17 and 18 are located at the outer and inner sides, respectively, of the casting 5 and are supported in vertical planes,

as shown in Fig. 3. The vertical web-like portions 17 and 18 are connected at their opposite ends to the sides 9 of the casting. The vertical portion 17 constitutes an abutment for the yoke member of draft rigging of the car (not shown) while the adj oining forwardly extending ends of the side portions 9 are provided with inwardly extending flanges 19 which constitute stops for draft cushiomng mechanism which also is not shown 0 The bottom cover plate 1 is provlded w th longitudinally exten ing strengthening rlbs as indicated at 21 which ribs extend from the center plate 2 to the outer ends of the said cover plate as shown.

The under sides of the outer end portions of the upset part of the cover plate are provided with jacking pads, as indicated at 23. The said cover late is also provided at its opposite ends with wreck chain eyes 24. Although only one of these eyes is shown it will be understood that one is also provided at the opposite end of the cover plate. 7

For the purpose of lightening the bolster structure I have provided relatively large openings in the bottom cover plate at points near the opposite ends thereof. The edges of these openings preferably are provided with strengthening ribs, as indicated at 26 and 27 the ends of which ribs merge with the ribs 21 portions of which border the said openings as is clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The removal of the material of the bottom.

cover plate as thus indicated does not result in a reducing of the strength of the bolster structure but does result in .a decrease in the cost of manufacture, in that it decreases the amount of metal required, which is a matter of great importance from the standpoint of economy in the case of a large output.

It will be seen that by my invention I am enabled to produce a bolster comprising a cast steel bottom cover plate with which is integrally formed or connected the center plate, side body bearings, braces for the latter, and a castlng located at the middle por tion thereof, the latter providing means for fastening the bottom cover plate toadjoining portlons of the center sills of the railway car underframe and also providing means against which the draft cushioning mechanism (not shown) is adapted to abut.

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 15:

1. In a body bolster for railway cars, a bottom cover plate for said bolster comprising a s ngle steel casting, said casting includlng side bearings integral therewith.

2. In a body bolster ,for railway cars, a bottom cover plate for said bolster comprisng aslngle steel casting, said casting including side bearings and braces for said bearings, the said bearings and braces being integral w1th each other and with the said bottom cover plate.

3. In a body bolster for railway cars, a bottom cover plate for said bolster comprising a single steel casting, said castin including a center plate located upon the under side of the middle portion of the said. cover plate, and a projection located upon the upper side of the sa1d cover platein opposed relation to the said center plate, the said projection includlng a'central tubular portion, oppositely disposed side portions having rear draft stops formed therein, and webs interposed between the said tubular portion and side portions,

the said center plate and projection being mtegral with the 'said bottom cover plate.

4. In a body bolster for railway cars, a

bottom cover plate for said bolster comprising a'single steel casting, said casting including a center late located upon the under Side of its midd e portion and side bearings located upon the under side ofthe said cover plate at points intermediate the said center plate and the outer ends-thereof, the said center plate and side bearings being integral with the said cover plate.

5. In a body bolster'for railway cars, a bottom cover plate for said bolster comprising a single steel casting, said castin including a center plate located at the mi dle portion of the under side thereof, side bearings located upon the under side of said 1plate at points intermediate the said center p ate and the outer ends thereof, and braces for the said side bearings, the said center plate, side bearings and braces being integral with the said plate.

6. In a body bolster for railway cars, a bottom cover plate for said bolster comprising a single steel casting having wreck chain eyes integral therewith on the outer ends thereof.

7. In a body bolster for railway cars, a bottom cover plate for said bolster comprising a single steel casting having a center (plate, side bearings and jacking pads provide u on the unoger side thereof and being integra therewit 8. In a body bolster for railway cars, a bottom "cover plate for said bolster comprising a single steel casting, said casting including upon its under side a center plate having an opening centrally thereof, 'a projection upon its upper side in opposed relation to the said center plate, which projection includes a central tubular portion in alinement with the braces between the said central tubular portion and the said plates, and rear draft stops for the draft cushioning mechanism, side bearings integral withthe said cover plate and located upon the under side. thereof at points between the middle and outer ends thereof, braces for said side bearings, jacking pads formed on the under sides of the outer end portions of said bottom cover plate, and wreck chain eyes upon and integral with the outer ends of the said cover plate.

9. In a body bolster for railways cars, a bottom cover plate for said bolster having a projection extending downwardly from the lower side of its middle portion, the said projection constituting a center'plate, a projection extending upwardly from the top side of said middle portion in opposed relation to the said first named projection, the said its middle portion and a projection which extends upwardly from said middle portion, the said first named projection constituting a center plate and the second named projection including a central tubular portion, opposite- 1y disposed side portions, spaced oppositely disposed Webs extending between the said side portions one of which constitutes a rear draft abutment, and Webs extending radially from the said central tubular portion and having connection With the said side portions and the Webs extending between the said side portions.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have hereunto signed my name this 10 day of Dec., A'. D., 1928.

MARK H. MARTIN. 

